Former US Secretary of State John Kerry strongly supports the Kivu-Kinshasa Green Corridor Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Kerry backed the community-based project at the World Economic Forum, last week. The project was presented on January 22 by Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi during a panel discussion titled "The Last Lung of the Earth".

"With President Tshisekedi, we passionately discussed this project and the prospects it offers," Kerry stated. "The Congo Basin must not be left alone. We've all seen what's happening in the Amazon. It is being eroded by destructive practices such as intensive livestock farming and illegal logging. These trends are mirrored in Indonesia and Cambodia, where illegal deforestation continues."

Kerry described the Kivu-Kinshasa Green Corridor initiative as "a great idea" that warrants private sector backing. "It's a huge and inspiring idea that relies on close cooperation between the public and private sectors. It requires strong conviction from the private sector to show that it is possible not only to make a profit but also to do good." He considers this project one of the most stimulating proposals he has contributed to in recent years.

Kerry is currently the Executive Co-Chairman of Galvanize Climate Solutions, a global investment firm founded in 2021 to accelerate the energy transition. His endorsement could significantly influence investor perceptions of the Kivu-Kinshasa Green Corridor project. While he now focuses on his role in the private sector, Kerry remains a key figure in climate negotiations, having played an essential role in international discussions as Special Envoy for Climate Change under President Biden.

Boosting collaboration with the DRC could make the Kivu-Kinshasa Green Corridor a unique opportunity combining nature conservation with economic benefits for private investors and local communities. 

Created by decree on January 15, 2025, by the Prime Minister, the Kivu-Kinshasa Green Corridor stretches from east to west across the DRC, spanning 544,270 square kilometers—over a quarter of the country's territory. The project aims to foster a green economy while preserving more than 100,000 square kilometers of primary forests, solidifying the DRC's role in combating global warming.

Georges Auréole Bamba